By Hannah Marion Namukasa
The Entebbe Chief Magistrate, Stella Maris Amabilis, has officially recused herself from presiding over the high-profile land fraud case involving Mohammad Kamoga, the proprietor of Kamoga Properties Ltd.
Her decision followed allegations made by Kamoga’s legal team claiming that the accused had exchanged personal WhatsApp messages with the magistrate discussing the very case she was handling. The court session took a dramatic turn after the prosecution informed the court that they were ready to proceed and had brought several witnesses to testify.
However, Kamoga’s lawyer, Brian Tindyebwa, raised an unusual objection, arguing that his client did not feel comfortable with Magistrate Amabilis overseeing the matter. He requested that the case be reallocated to another magistrate.
In response to the serious allegations, Magistrate Amabilis invited all parties for a closed-door meeting in her chambers. Upon returning to the courtroom, she announced her withdrawal from the case.
“I have no interest in this matter. But rather than allow my name and integrity to be tarnished—especially given that the accused has previously filed a complaint against me with the Judicial Service Commission—I hereby withdraw from handling this case,” she stated.
The case file has been forwarded to Grade One Magistrate Edgar Tusiime Tibayeita, and the hearing is scheduled to resume on July 16, 2025.
Kamoga is facing multiple charges including forgery, obtaining registration by false pretenses, uttering false documents, unlawful eviction, and malicious damage to property. The charges stem from the alleged fraudulent acquisition of over 200 acres of land in Garuga-Bukaya, Entebbe, Wakiso District. Prosecutors claim he used forged land transfer forms bearing the signature of businessman Peter Bibangamba to unlawfully transfer land ownership into his own name.
Kamoga appeared in court just a day after failing to stop his prosecution. On Tuesday, the Supreme Court dismissed his application for an interim order to halt the trial, citing a pending appeal.
In her ruling, Justice Monica Mugenyi stated that justice would be better served by a swift prosecution of the criminal case, which could help clarify issues related to the pending civil matter.
“It has not been established before me that the applicant (Kamoga) would not undergo a fair trial or that the integrity of the criminal justice system would be compromised by his prosecution,” Justice Mugenyi ruled.
“The criminal proceedings offer the accused an opportunity to rebut the allegations, including proving that the disputed land transfer forms were genuinely signed by the complainant.”
The case continues to draw public attention due to its scale and the high-profile figures involved.
